Almanac Racing: Sandown Classic 2010

No matter how impressive a line-up they gather – and, it must admitted that this is a good meeting – Sandown’s premier day is a bit like a penny bunger after the fireworks display.

Sportslovers have turned the page on their “Calendar of Events” – two GFs segued in to the Carnival; the golf’s on this weekend and then the Ashes take centre stage until the Oz Open!

But there are some interesting races and classy horses chasing the two Group 2s and sundry Listed events down the Princes Highway.

The time-honoured Merson Cooper presents a new batch of 2 yr olds and I’m keen to have a bet here on Son of Caesar (8). Get an early bank.

The Sandown Cup returns to this fixture as a two mile Open Handicap. The Almanac’s own Illustrious Blue looks to be the class runner but has a steadier of 59.5kgs. Mourayan might be the value.

The Listed WFA Sprint (R4) is an even bunch. All Silent will be hoping the rain stays away and he looks much better than his opponents, but I’ll not back him away from Flemington. First Command (5) is well in at the weights and the one to beat.

Check the track rating prior to Race 5. Larry’s Never Late (5) resumes and flies fresh. If it is very wet, Luen Yat Forever (1) is a good thing. Persist with It’s a Monty (9) in the multis.

I’m a big Pressday (1) fan and burnt my dough on Derby Day when he bungled the start and he should start fav in the Guineas. This is a top class field and I am strongly recommending Bart’s Goldstone (5) as an E/W moral with any luck in running.

Zipping (1) looks the measuring stick in the Classic (R7) but is too short. Caveat Emptor.

Beyond then it is really too hard to predict. As has become customary, keep an eye on the weather and track conditions. An inch of rain is forecast so this track could fall apart. It’s a good card at Sandown and a great pity that the BOM warnings and punting fatigue will combine to push this meeting in to the background.

(BTW, the highlight of the week was Black Caviar’s little bro, Moche, streeting its rivals at Bendigo. A star is born.)

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Comments

Hopefully the wick isn’t too damp on the penny bunger Crio, cats and dogs down here at the minute 7.30am, and the boy’s cricket isn’t looking too good.

I’ve had a nibble on Muir (R3) and The Handsome One (R4), but am waiting on how weather plays out over next few hours. Is a pity we’re copping rain today because Classic Day normally plays out beautifully for the punters.

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